Russia violated a Ukraine-initiated ceasefire within hours of its announcement, launching overnight drone and missile strikes across the country, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Wednesday.
“Putin cares only about military parades, not human lives,” Sybiha wrote on social media platform X, accusing Moscow of rejecting peace while publicly promoting “fake” ceasefire rhetoric tied to upcoming Victory Day commemorations.
According to Sybiha, Russian forces attacked Ukraine overnight with 108 drones and three missiles, including morning strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
He said the attacks demonstrated that Russia continues to ignore “a realistic and fair” call to halt hostilities, which Kyiv says had support from international partners and organizations.
The comments came after Russia’s defense ministry announced that President Vladimir Putin had ordered a unilateral ceasefire on May 8-9, timed to coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.
Moscow made the declaration without coordination with Kyiv and warned that any disruption of the commemorations could trigger a “massive” strike on Kyiv.
Putin’s spokesman Peskov said the pause in hostilities “will be implemented” regardless of Kyiv’s response, adding that “a response is not, in fact, required.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the proposal, calling it “not serious” and describing it as a “theatrical performance” and “manipulation” intended to protect the Victory Day parade rather than advance peace efforts.
In response, he announced Ukraine would implement its own unilateral “regime of silence” starting May 6, adding that Ukraine would act in a “mirror-like manner” if the truce is violated by the Russian side.
However, Russia continued attacks overnight and into the morning of May 6, effectively breaking the proposed pause in fighting.
Sybiha called for increased international pressure on Moscow, including expanded sanctions, political isolation, and accountability measures for alleged Russian war crimes, alongside continued military and economic support for Ukraine.